Narendra Modi Cabinet gives nod to signing of health pact with Japan

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan, the government on Thursday gave its nod to the signing of a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) between the two countries which is aimed at boosting health sector ties.

The MoC will cover health financing towards universal health coverage, which is a key goal of the ruling BJP, through sharing of experiences in the public health insurance system and human resource development in this regard, an official statement said. The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the MoC which will be signed between health ministries of the two countries.

The agreement envisages exchange in health care service delivery including technical exchange to improve quality of care. The MoC will also cover health care system governance and management, including sharing of know-how on management of hospitals and community health care centres.

Health information systems, including sharing of experiences and technology regarding telemedicine and electronic-health information system, will also be a part of this, it said, adding pharmaceuticals and medical devices, health research and disease surveillance will also be covered.

"A working group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this MoC," it said.